Aeropropulsion and Power Technology

Electrical/electronic equipment need relatively low temperature for reliability in addition to adequate fuel heat sink for waste heat dissipation. Inefficient engine fuel pumps steal precious heat sink from these critical systems, reducing their reliability and mission capability. Aircraft engine fuel pump heat load is becoming more and more a serious problem on current military aircraft. Fuel recirculation from the engine to aircraft tanks is used as a means for reducing the localized fuel pump temperature rise in the engine. However, recirculation causes increase in tank fuel temperature and a reduction of heat sink for aircraft systems. Using Modelogics Model Engineer as a computational platform, the program will provide the computational tools needed to dramatically reduce pump power (eliminating tank recirculation) while maintaining good stability, reliability and other figures of merit. Lockheed Martin and Modelogics are currently working together to develop a vehicle-level model of the F-35 aircraft. Lockheed Martin and Modelogics have agreed to provide support to this SBIR by providing these F-35 models. Modelogics will work with Coffinberry & Associates to perform mission simulations and trade studies of various pump types and pump configurations.